March 05, 2013
Whakapapa good start for suicide prevention
The local hero of the year is urging whānau to use whakapapa as a tool in suicide prevention.
Jim Morunga won the Local Hero award in the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards at the weekend for his advocacy for the blind and his current mahi on suicide.
He says communities are suffering high levels of stress, which can lead to physical and mental problems.
A sense of connection is essential, especially for young people.
“Kōrero mē te whakapapa. If you can’t talk about anything, talk about the connectedness. I meet too many young people who are unaware and have no knowledge of their whakapapa. I’m encouraging our kuia and koroua to talk to their mokopuna and at the same time encouraging mokopuna to talk to their kuia and koroua. It’s more or less trying to connect people that won’t cost an arm and a leg to do,” he says.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd